S. 4121 — Vote Without Fear Act

This section establishes a new criminal offense at 18 U.S.C. § 935 prohibiting the knowing possession or presence of a firearm in or within 100 yards of an entrance to a federal election site (i.e., a building or part thereof where federal, state, or local employees administer polling places or process or count ballots in federal elections). Exceptions apply to law enforcement officers or authorized private security guards on duty; firearms in vehicles if not removed or brandished; and otherwise lawful possession in residences, places of business, or on private property within the restricted area. Violations are punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both; possession with intent to commit a crime increases the penalty to up to 5 years imprisonment. Homicides committed during such violations or firearm attacks on federal election sites are punishable under existing federal murder (18 U.S.C. § 1111), manslaughter (§ 1112), attempt (§ 1113), or conspiracy (§ 1117) statutes. This section also makes a conforming amendment to the table of sections for 18 U.S.C. ch. 44.